Re-distribution of Gaming Revenue

WHEREAS municipalities without hosting ability due to saturation of the market or limited or no available market for gaming have no direct distribution of gaming proceeds from the Province; AND WHEREAS residents from non-host municipalities frequent gaming facilities in other jurisdictions and the municipality with the residents bears social and resourcing costs of gaming addictions in their communities; AND WHEREAS due to information gathered on player cards the gaming facility compiles information on their patrons including residency and amount played each day per patron; AND WHEREAS municipalities that host gaming facilities have relied on the revenues received to offset the social and resourcing costs directly related to gaming in their communities and have applied residual funds to support operations and capital projects into the future; AND WHEREAS loss of revenues due to redistribution will adversely affect host municipalities; AND WHEREAS fairness and equitable distribution is a mandate of the provincial government; AND WHEREAS the British Columbia Lottery Corporation BCLC distributes net gaming revenues of approximately 365 million 35 to host municipalities, community organizations and the healthcare sector each year and retains approximately 690 million 65 in general provincial revenue: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of BC redistribute gaming revenues based on the residence of the patron at the gaming facility and the amount played; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that BCLC distribute a percentage of the provincial revenue to all local governments on a per capita basis, based on a formula that will keep the host local governments of gaming facilities whole.